Anti-Chafing Leg Garment

ABSTRACT

An anti-chafing, anti-abrasion garment device is described. The device is configured to be worn between the thighs of a user, providing a buffer from skin-to-skin contact that can occur between the user&#39;s legs during movement. The garment device, when worn properly, is configured to adequately help protect the user from erythema, edema, chafing, and irritated skin which can commonly occur during walking, running, and jogging. The device is envisioned to remove the need to employ anti-chafing creams or other topical products on the inner thighs in order to prevent skin irritations and rashes.

CONTINUITY DATA

This application is a non-provisional utility application of provisionalutility patent application No. 62/296,447 filed on Feb. 17, 2016, andpriority is claimed thereto.

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to garments worn on the body ofa person, and more specifically to leg garments configured to act as abuffer between the person's legs to prevent them from rubbing together.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Commonly, people may develop skin rashes and irritation between thethighs during or after walking. This frequently can happen on hot days,and is more prevalent on individuals with large or obese thighs.Unfortunately, this can lead to erythema, edema, and chafing, as well asconventional rashes to develop between the thighs, bringing discomfortto the individual.

There are several topical products that can be applied to ease chafingof the inner thighs. While these products are useful, they must bere-applied several times per day in order to remain effective.Therefore, the product must be carried by the consumer the entire dayfor repeated use. Unfortunately, this method of chafe prevention canquickly become expensive as these products such as Monistat Gel Powder™,SportSlick™, Hydropel™, and Monkey Butt Powder™, range from $6.00 to$17.00 and may require frequent purchase with continuous use in order toremain effective.

Presently there are few products on the market that attempt to addressthis issue. “Bandelettes” Thigh Bands with anti-chafing benefits” havebeen marketed to prevent skin irritation between the thighs.“Bandelettes” presently has two versions: a first made of 100% stretch,silicone-backed lace and a second, also unisex, is “Elastic Plain SoftBands with non-slip silicone.” The majority of the reviews werepositive. However, one review indicated that “they became a bit roughafter washing.” Unfortunately, many lace products are not designed toremain in good condition after multiple washes and wears, as some laceitems may become more abrasive after washing, potentially causingadditional skin irritation when worn subsequent times.

Thus, there is a need for an affordable garment/device that uses hosieryas the band, and is configured to remain in place in order to preventchafing and skin irritation between the thighs while remaining washable.All lace rough and doesn't provide a smooth passing of the thighs. Lacecreates more friction, especially when rubbed against other lace.Hosiery remains soft after repeated washings with or without fabricsoftener. There is a need for a washable garment for repeated use thatwill only need to be replaced after the garment has been worn down.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is an anti-chafing garment intended to be worn onthe thighs between the crotch and the knee as a supplementalundergarment. The goal is to prevent direct skin contact of the innerthighs for optimal skin integrity and to decrease the chances ofcompromising skin integrity, leading to conditions such as erythema,edema, and chafing. Such concerns are relevant to any person whosethighs rub together. This phenomena occurs most often when an individualwears skirts or dresses and most commonly during warm to hot weatherwhen ambient humidity is high. Chafing and rashes can similarly occurduring running or jogging in any weather.

The present invention is preferably positioned such that it is fixed inposition between the thighs of the wearer, where chafing and rashes aremost prominent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the present invention as seen from the front.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a leg garment composed of a band (40) ofmaterial, sleeve-like in shape, and made of silicone-backed hosieryand/or lace material. Each edge, a proximal edge (10) and a distal edge(20), has a silicone-backed stretch lace attachment (30) that isdesigned to prevent the garment of the present invention from slidingdown the leg. The band (40) is preferably made of hosiery, howeveralternate embodiments of the present invention employ a band (40)composed of swimwear material, namely composed of nylon, tricot,spandex, lycra, and acetate. The band (40) is preferably elastic anddurable.

This invention is envisioned to also be manufactured with heavierhosiery and/or that of a spandex-like material for the band as a medicalgarment. The medical garment embodiment of the present invention wouldomit the lace, but still have silicone-backed stretch lace attachments(30) inside the proximal edge (10) and distal edges (20) of the band(40). Individuals that have become grossly obese will benefit greatlyfrom this invention by experiencing a smooth pass of the thighs duringambulation, therapy, and exercise. Skin integrity is maintained withconsistent use of the present invention on the legs during movement.

Materials of both the medical and recreational versions of the band (40)of the present invention are preferably expandable as to adjust todifferent sized and shaped thighs. Each size is available in a range ofthigh circumferences for a proper, comfortable fit without adjustment.It is critical that the present invention is tight enough around theuser's thigh without sliding down, yet is not too tight as to cut offcirculation. For this reason, the present invention is preferablyoffered in a variety of different sizes, colors, and patterns, as wellas crafted for different functions, such as an undergarment, or as amedical garment.

It is envisioned that alternate embodiments of the present invention maybe incorporated into other articles of clothing. For example, thepresent invention could be configured to be sewn into pants such astight jeans to provide added comfort and protection. They may also beconfigured as an extension to existing knee-high hosiery. Similarly, itis envisioned that some embodiments of the garment band (40) of thepresent invention may be equipped with a clasp (50) to affix the band(40) to a conventional anchor strap configured to attach to theunderwear of the user, similar to conventional lingerie with leggings.However, it is the intention of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention to need not employ a clasp (50) to ensure the garment deviceremains stationary in an approximate fixed position on the thighs of thewearer.

It is envisioned that the present invention facilitate comfortablemovement and exercise of the legs of the wearer. During physicaltherapy, or when attempting to lose weight, an individual is oftenpressed to their limits physically. Similarly, running can be painfuland seemingly impossible to do comfortably for obese individuals. Inorder to lose the weight, exercise is required. The present inventionfacilitates this healthy exercise by ensuring the wearer remainscomfortable during the exercise, and does not rapidly develop chafing ora rash or rash-like symptom due to friction between the thighs. Whenwearing the present invention, friction is minimized with materialsmaintaining a low coefficient of friction, helping the thighs to passtogether comfortably.

Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood thatvarious adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturingaway from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should beunderstood that the present invention is not solely limited to theinvention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprisesany and all embodiments within the scope of this application.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thepresent invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the present invention and its practicalapplication, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe present invention and various embodiments with various modificationsas are suited to the particular use contemplated.

I claim:
 1. A garment, comprising: a band of material, said band ofmaterial configured in a sleeve-like shape; and a silicone backing.